Supreme Court Rejects
Request by Exxon Mobil

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court, officially starting its new term, rejected an effort by Exxon Mobil Corp. to set aside $5 billion in damages related to the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.

The court also refused to review SmithKline Beecham PLC's claim that a users' guide offered by a rival, involving a product similar to SmithKline's Nicorette gum, infringed on its patent. And the justices turned away an appeal by France's Pernod Ricard...